Author Archives: Jen Parcell

What started as an idea for a few of the Go Ape Bedgebury team to walk, cycle and hitch the length and breadth of Britain, evolved into a company-wide challenge for the Teenage Cancer Trust this summer.

The Relay kicked off on Saturday 14th June at Leeds Castle and has travelled across the width and Breadth of Britain- with some detours across the globe on the way. The banana has travelled in an array of imaginative forms of transport from helicopters to kayaks, wheelbarrows to tanks, go-karts to hot air balloons, fire engines to Boris bikes- we’ve even broken the space hopper world record and sent the banana into space!

It’s been a crazy 3 months and hats off to all the sites for many impressive and original stunts raising funds for Teenage Cancer Trust. It’s certainly proof that Go Ape staff take ‘Living Life Adventurously’ very seriously! Not only do we want to thank those who took part in all of our charity adventures, but to everyone who supported us in our fundraising efforts so here’s a BIGTHANK YOU from all the hairy Gorillas at Go Ape.

The Trent Park gorillas had been looking forward to getting their mouths hands on that Big Banana all summer so, after a quick breakfast the Ripe Bananas (Boss man Pete, Gorillas Aileen and Aaron, Instructor sized banana Jack, plus George, Kelly and David) jumped on a tube train for the ‘beginning of the end’ of the entire relay. Hot but fun, especially seeing the reaction of their fellow passengers who had quite obviously never seen gorillas and bananas reading The Times!

Calling in at King’s Cross St Pancras there was time for a quick visit to Hogwarts before jumping on the No. 30 bus to Madame Tussaud’s and a short walk to Baker Street. Sherlock wasn’t in so they said ‘hello’ to the bobby on the door instead.

Having left their leafy umbrellas back in the woods it was a troop of soggy gorillas that made its way to Marble Arch. What fun they had chasing pigeons and racing Boris Bikes through Hyde Park until they met the rest of the team and had to hand over the banana. But it was the Un-ripe Bananas (Banana Bob, Gorillas Rhys and Kayleigh, photo TomTom, plus Chris, Darren, Amy and Dave) who had to contend with the worst of the weather. With a spring in their step and spirits undampened they toured the sights of London, much to the amusement of the crowds at Buckingham Palace. A friendly policeman pointed them in the right direction for Nelson’s Column and from there it was a bus and tube to St Paul’s and the Wobbly Bridge before a train to the outer reaches of the capital and beyond. Welcomed back to Leeds Castle by a mass gathering of gorillas, bananas and human instructors never previously seen in one place, the completion of the Big Banana Relay was celebrated in style with balloons, bubbly and a barbecue.

After receiving the Big Banana off the hairy Gorillas from Banana HQ we ventured off around the park to visit some of our less hairy friends. Unfortunately our planned photo shoot with the animals at Woburn was slightly thwarted with the birth of a new female elephant- After 22 months of pregnancy we couldn’t really complain too much. We still managed to visit the Lemurs and Meerkats and take a trip around the Great Woburn Railway before setting off on our journey to Wendover.

First stop was The Wyvern Shipping Co. in Leighton Buzzard for our canal boat journey down the Grand Union Canal. Mike and Adam were able to enjoy the perfect weather and a leisurely cruise whilst the remaining members of the team prepared for the journey ahead.

The full team finally met up at the Grove Lock pub for a spot of lunch and then it was on to the recumbent bike and banana bike down the tow path.

A mechanical breakdown left us with just one gear on the recumbent, which was a challenge, but we battled on in the heat and made it to Wendover very late in the afternoon. Next stop Trent Park.

Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer aged 13 to 24. Teenage Cancer Trust funds and builds specialist units in NHS hospitals and provides dedicated staff, bringing young people together so they can be treated by teenage cancer experts in the best place for them. We are very proud to be able to support this charity and improve the lives of those living with cancer.

On Wednesday 13th August the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at St. James’s University Hospital in Leeds swung by for a day in the trees. Here’s what they had to say about their adventure…

The day out to Go Ape was great. It was my first trip out with the teenage and young adult group and I’m so glad I joined in. I’ve been to Go Ape before so I knew what to expect, however the first time I went I was a little scared, especially of the Tarzan swings but this time round I was able to relax and enjoy it!

The last time I went to Go Ape wasn’t long before my diagnosis, and yesterday’s trip was probably one of the more physical things I’ve done since I finished treatment. It was a big confidence boost for me.

The staff were great and really helpful, and even though it was a busy day it didn’t feel overcrowded and I never felt rushed, so it’s obviously all really well organised. It was lots of fun to get outdoors and up in trees and to have a laugh with everyone; it’s just what I needed 🙂

Rachel Tetherington Age: 24

This has been an amazing trip for our cancer patient group, including myself. I particularly enjoyed the extreme side of Go Ape Dalby Forest, it has been quite challenging but the whole group worked really hard and everyone completed the course. This activity has put our physical, as well as our mental health to a test which we all endeavoured to overcome.

For me, this was the best experience I’ve ever had and I would love to come back again and get myself stuck into those beautiful tall trees.